What does it take to host a Super Bowl, one of the largest sporting spectacles on the planet? An army of motivated volunteers and logistical preparations worthy of a trophy themselves.
The host committee is expecting a wave of more than 1 million visitors over the 10-day hoopla that culminates in the Big Game on February 3 at the 75,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The event will mark Atlanta’s third Super Bowl and the first in 19 years. Let’s hope for zero freak ice storms this time.
Illustration by Tomi Um
96,000
hotel rooms expected to be reserved in metro Atlanta (11,800 of them within a one-mile radius of Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
20,100
rooms contracted by the NFL alone
$3,700,000
estimated amount of revenue Airbnb hosts earned during the 2018 Super Bowl
200,000
estimated passengers arriving per day between February 1 and 4 at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport—a 33 percent boost in passenger volume
750
additional flights expected per day
Illustration by Tomi Um
7
miles of fencing being used to secure the Georgia World Congress Center campus perimeter
100
metro Atlanta venues secured for Super Bowl–related events
4 a.m.
extended closing time for bars during Super Bowl week, per legislation unanimously approved by the Atlanta City Council
Illustration by Tomi Um
20,000+
trees being planted in Atlanta, Clarkston, Doraville, and eight other locations in an effort to leave a lasting impression on the host community
32,000
applicants for the Team ATL program to act as city ambassadors during the Super Bowl (5,000 applied in the first 24 hours)
10,000
Team ATL volunteers selected
Illustration by Tomi Um
22
languages spoken by Team ATL volunteers, including American Sign Language
94
number of hours MARTA rail will operate nonstop, from February 1 to February 5
40
extra MARTA officers hired specifically to keep the system moving (and safe) during Super Bowl week
Illustration by Tomi Um
Up to 30
murals being installed around the city that pay homage to civil rights
1
honorary Team ATL captain: Warrick Dunn, former Falcons running back
This article appears in our January 2019 issue.
